Three message board thoughts

[FloridaRob]

1. I've got a job for Luxman! :D I know it's not easy, but I think the board is due for an overhaul of the overall board section titles. The two Models sections seem nearly identical, and a bit too much gets thrown into Mundane Chatter for lack of a better place to go.Most chat there, despite the banner that it should mostly be chat not related to AW, is indeed, about AW. Somehow, the headers just don't distribute very evenly among potential chats, as they have developed. I know it's very hard to make changes, at this point, but I'd be happy to try to think up some new categories that might be rolled in, (added). I just have the impression that the sections were dreamed up on Day One and might not have been tweaked much over the years.

2. While I understand its not good and can be confusing to others when we can edit our own posts after doing them but I do wish I had more time, perhaps even a couple of weeks, to edit the occasional one of my lately voluminous posts, where I see room for better clarity, etc. If the board configs allow it, perhaps the "Reason for editing" could be made mandatory in order to edit, or even one could only add to the original post, (to clarify or apologize for what is there.) Yes, I know I should just be more careful posting in the first place and yes, I know I can always add a fresh post to discuss the previous one. Still, if there's any board configs that could be tweaked that way, I'd vote for it.

3. Smilies! Yes, I know they are very "last decade" but I LIKE them and I wish we might have a few more or some fresh ones. Not tons, of course, but more than twelve. I'd also like to see a MODEST increase, (from four, I believe), in the number of smilies permissible in one post. I think Vid Dude pointed out his annoyance with those who post lots of the same smilie but the problem comes in when quoting someone else's message that already has a couple in the message and maybe a <3Melinda<3 signature. I have to edit out hers in order to have a couple of my own and I don't like editing someone else's quoted message. See??:(

[sweatyfox]

I agree about some AW related discussions getting into Mundane Chatter when they should be in the AW discussion section but it doesn't happen all the time. I think rather than a drastic overhaul the descriptions of each section need to be clear. The main thing that's happening at the moment is some models start chatting to us on their Models thread which is supposed to be for us and them to comment and leave/get feedback on the shoot and videos. At the same time though it's only a couple of models who are doing this right now (eg Vickie and Sue Ann) but I think they just haven't had the time to start their own threads. I'm not that concerned because I've know Luxman and other moderators can move sections of threads elsewhere or start a Models Speak thread for them, if they are alerted to the fact.

I agree we should all try and be a little bit disciplined in thinking first where we post certain topics or start new threads but you're not gonna get it 100% perfect and I think the current layout works pretty well, there are just some clarifications needed. You can always highlight to any of our efficient moderators if you think something needs moving to a new thread or section on the site.

SF

[Luxman]

1. I've got a job for Luxman!

How much will you pay me?

Lxm

[FloridaRob]

Thanks, Sweaty. Agreed that the section descriptions might be reworded a bit for clarity. I'll give it some more thought and see if I can return soon with a more lucid explanation of what I am thinking. Looking at the post and thread counts, clearly about three sections are carrying 90% of the posts. I wouldn't remove any, just maybe add a few or else another level of sub-categories.

[FloridaRob]

How much will you pay me?

Lxm

Hey, Luxman! :)

You posted that while ("whilst") I was posting mine back to Sweatyfox. Pay you, huh? Yes, I know you are low on the scale, actually off the scale if I guess right.

I could have Abby's people send you pics to see before everyone else gets to see them. Oh! You already have that! :mad:

I'll limit the number of my suggestions accordingly! A dozen new categories should be plenty! :eek:

[Luxman]

Ok, let's be serious.

1. Topic
The two model sections are very different, if you read the description (what every new poster is supposed to do) you can see what to post where:

The Models
Feedback on existing site models and shoots.
The Models Speak
Where the models themselves come to talk.

This should be clear but I see that models regularly start chatting in their shoot threads about general themes. We still have to do some more education here I suppose.

I agree with you about the Mundane Chatter. It's meanwhile the most used forum I think. Initially it was created to get all non-site related threads there to avoid the "official threads" filled up with non relevant messages. Also Abby doesn't get the automatic mails of that forum, she is so busy that she's annoyed by any message that has no relation to the site.

2. Topic
Actually the delay to edit your posts is 24 hours. After that time you lose the ability to edit your own messages. I think there's a limit needed. You can't edit a message after 3 days, weeks or month without creating confusion. See your message as a letter you send to someone. You can't edit it's contents after sending it. At least here you have the chance to edit your message for an entire day. In my eyes that limitation is correct and I'm sure it will not be changed.

3. Topic
The emoticons, oh yeah, that's a theme. I use them only if I need them to make clear I'm joking or I'm angry. I agree that 4 per message is a bit limited. I will see if we could increase this to 6 for example. When I look at other forums without that limitation, I must say that I understand Vid Dude's view and I agree with him. I think we don't need messages with 25 emoticons. To much of them gives always an awful image and we don't want that.

Your suggestions were interesting and I will see with Vid Dude and Abby if we could adopt some.

Lxm

[FloridaRob]

1. Actually, I'm at a loss to understand why there are always such huge volumes of people visiting The Models at any one time. Staffers post a pic of a new model and some weigh in with complementary posts. To me, one of the least interesting or useful areas. In The Models Speak, the model, herself weighs in with a new thread and we communicate directly with that model. To me, more interesting, useful, and fun, although, apparently, less-visited. Still seems they could somehow be consolidated. Let the model post an "hello" in her own "Meet The Models" section.
Maybe Mundane - Off Site and Mundane - On Site topics, at least. Further subcategories.

2. Guess I now agree with you about the editing. I almost talked myself out of that position in writing about it.

3. Let's allow maybe 8 per message and simply warn people not to be silly or excessive with them. I would still love to see a few new ones. In most boards, that's not too hard to do although I've forgotten whatever I used to know about them. If I were you, I'd solicit a volunteer or volunteers to submit new and improved smileys. I used to belong to an absolutely over-the-top chatty, slightly naughty, E-Z Board, (EZB), that was highly customized and crazy with smileys, some a bit naughty, even...(Now that I think about it, it was Australian as well!)

[Frans]

1. Actually, I'm at a loss to understand why there are always such huge volumes of people visiting The Models at any one time. Staffers post a pic of a new model and some weigh in with complementary posts.

That's easily explained. Every time any member looks at a shoot its linked forum thread from 'The Models' section is loaded and thus 'viewed' by that member (although he or she may never even read the thread).

That is also why number-of-views in the 'Models' section isn't all that telling (well except as related to total subs). The Models-Speak forum is much more interesting :)

Some new emoticons might be usefull, but they should be somewhat universally understandable. A 'wave' 6277 and 'respect'/'bow-down'6276 icon would be usefull I think.

Then again, anybody can attach those themselves, since both smilies and attachment count towards the total number of pictures allowed ;-)

[Melinda]

Hey Rob, just wanted to let you know that I don't mind at all if you delete my little "Luv Melinda" with the hearts from my post because I know it uses up smilies... I have not problem with any of my posts being edited for a quote, gosh I do that ALL the time and always delete people's smilies... so yeah that's cool.... hey thanks for checking that out Luxman, a slightly higher limit for smilies would be really good, but definitely only a modest increase... and yeah I can see the difference between The Models section and The Model's Speak and as you mentioned Luxman, better education is definitely the key here, when I started not much emphasis was placed on the forums and how to use them correctly, except for a really long email later.... otherwise, it's all good around here! :)

<3 Luv Melinda <3

[wannadance]

rob, now i am all confused, dammit!

the only things i have to say is that we need one place where we can yammer on about any ole thing, be it sexual or model related or music or whatever. i think it just needs to be a free for all, so long as flame wars start...


i am so sick of emoticons i could just scream. they resemble smiley faces and i hate those. i hate the whole thing. why can't we just say what we mean like just kidding, trying to be cool, etc or i bow in awe or _waving wildly_....

i just cannot bear those insipid little icky-poos. but, heck, i am tolerant, so if i am outnumbered...

i love talking to the models.

dang it's 0300 again and i am still up. to bed.

love to all,
pooped dancer

[FloridaRob]

Hi Pooped Dancer,

I could answer two ways:

1. Oh, OK! :eek::) or

2. "Tell me, Dancer, how do you REALLY feel about smilies and Mundane Chatter?"

Dancer Dad (Whoops! That could be misunderstood!) WINK!

[pjay]

This should be clear but I see that models regularly start chatting in their shoot threads about general themes. We still have to do some more education here I suppose.
I say we need to understand less and condemn more...

Suitably rigorous chastisement for any models infringing the guidelines - ideally involving a plimsoll or paddle applied with a loving but firm hand onto bare bottoms. :eek:

It's the only way they will learn. ;)

[Melinda]

I say we need to understand less and condemn more...

Suitably rigorous chastisement for any models infringing the guidelines - ideally involving a plimsoll or paddle applied with a loving but firm hand onto bare bottoms.

It's the only way they will learn.

Well in that case I'll see you all in my 'Models' thread instead from now on... ;):D

<3 Luv Melinda <3

[Melinda]

I agree that 4 per message is a bit limited. I will see if we could increase this to 6 for example.

Hey Luxmeister, so what ever happened with this possibility? Did you end up asking the higher powers? Or now that you are a higher power perhaps this decision is up to you? C'mon Lux, we need more smilies! :) "please sir, may I have some more?..." :p

<3 Luv Melinda <3

[wannadance]

for women to talk women stuff, frivalous stuff, lip gloss, clothes, hair, periods. everyone would be allowed, of course, should belong in mundane. as it is, sometimes i have questions i put in model talk and directed to a specific woman. most don't even see it.

i dunno.

superficially,
dancer

[alexbee]

for women to talk women stuff, frivalous stuff, lip gloss, clothes, hair, periods. everyone would be allowed, of course, should belong in mundane. as it is, sometimes i have questions i put in model talk and directed to a specific woman. most don't even see it.

i dunno.

superficially,
dancer

Start your own thread, then you can put whatever you want in it eh? :)